Swing Life Away: 5 Homes with Delightful Front Porches

More than mere introductions, the front porches of these homes are destinations in their own right, perfect for relaxing and appreciating their settings and the best of every season.

Colonial Charm in Greenwich

Greenwich, Connecticut | Carol Clarke, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

Just minutes from the restaurants and shops of Greenwich Avenue, this delightful historic townhouse begins with a breezy classic front porch. The traditional charm continues in a living room with a gas fireplace, a soaring ceiling, and access to a handsome mahogany deck. On the second level are two primary suites with marble baths, a sitting room, and a guest bedroom, while the third floor offers three versatile rooms perfect for bedrooms, office space, or fitness space. The finished lower level features a jetted tub.

Waterfront Living in Texas

Galveston, Texas | Geri Mills, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty 

Overlooking a canal in Galveston’s exclusive gated Sunset Cove community, this light-flooded home is filled with traditional coastal style. A stately stairway rises to the classically symmetrical covered front porch, which opens to a living room with a vaulted shiplap ceiling, a gourmet kitchen with a marble island, and five restful bedrooms. In the backyard—overlooked by a peaceful balcony—are a pool and spa, a covered alfresco entertaining area, and two boathouses with lifts.

Wine Country Idyll

Kenwood, California | Tina Shone, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – East Napa Street Brokerage

An exemplary wine country estate, this 10-acre retreat boasts acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines, 120-year-old olive trees, a vegetable garden, an orchard, a chicken coop, a pool accompanied by a grilling and entertaining gazebo, and four residences. In addition to providing two guesthouses and a caretaker’s cottage, the property is anchored by a five-bedroom main residence with an impressively outfitted media room, open-plan living and entertaining spaces, and a wonderful wrap-around covered front porch.

Connecticut Charmer

Riverside, Connecticut | Jill Tighe Kelly, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

Colorful shutters and other accents, a glorious green lawn, and a long, leisurely front porch hint at the appealing traditional style found in this 4,498-square-foot home on a cul-de-sac just east of Greenwich in Riverside. Other highlights include a living and entertaining room, a kitchen and family room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, numerous French doors opening to a bluestone terrace and a private landscaped backyard, four peaceful bedrooms, and a two-car garage.

Shelter Island Farmhouse

Shelter Island, New York | Maz Crotty, Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage

Dating to the early 20th century, this vintage shingled farmhouse near Crescent Beach on Shelter Island has been lovingly maintained and updated. A welcoming front porch overlooks the surrounding lawn and gardens and opens to a living room with a woodstove, an updated eat-in kitchen, a sunporch, an office, and four bedrooms, including a renovated primary suite. In the backyard, an inviting deck offers a perfect spot for open-air relaxation amid expanses of green grass and tall mature trees.

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